If you want to completely revolutionize your patio or outdoor area, then you can’t go wrong with a beautiful set of panoramic folding doors. Whether you install a basic 3-panel door system or a more complex 5 to 7-panel folding door system, it’s guaranteed to open up the interior of your home to more light, more fresh air, and make you feel more connected to nature.

Depending on the type of folding doors you have, you may have more or less maintenance than the next homeowner. However, the overall maintenance is pretty much the same, no matter what type of folding door system that you have.

Staying on top of routine maintenance is key if you plan on keeping your folding doors in like-new condition. So, in today’s post, we’re going to give you a complete breakdown of everything that you should be doing to prolong the life of your folding doors. From cleaning the glass to keeping the track clear, we’ll cover all of the basics. Let’s dive in!

Folding Door Maintainance 101

Almost all of the major folding door brands on the market come with a manufacturer’s warranty that lasts anywhere between 5 and 15 years. Depending on the company you purchased your doors from and the doorframe materials, your own particular warranty may be a bit more or a bit less.

Either way you look at it, though, a set of porch folding doors is an investment. It’s as much an investment into the value of your home as it is an investment into yourself and your own personal enjoyment of your space. All of that being said, most folding door customers want to keep their beautiful doors looking as good as new year-round.

Most folding door maintenance is centered around keeping the major moving components of the doors functioning smoothly and precisely. Hinges need to bend smoothly, locks need to latch quickly, and the door panels need to be able to effortlessly slide along the track. If any of these aspects is out of line, then you’ll quickly discover that your exterior folding doors are more trouble than they’re worth.

Why Does Maintainance Matter?

The most obvious reason that routine maintenance matters is that it will give you a better user experience. If you’ve just spent thousands of dollars installing a set of folding doors in your home, then it’s in your best interest to make sure that they work exactly as advertised. Failure to keep up with maintenance will result in a folding door system that’s an utter pain to completely open.

Another reason to keep your folding door system well maintained is that it will increase the value of your home. Installing a new folding door system is one of the best ways to easily raise the market value of your home and make an impression on new homebuyers. It creates a modern air and an open aesthetic that can’t be accomplished with other standard home improvement projects.

For example, let’s just say that you spent $7,000 installing a beautiful set of folding doors leading out to your patio. The money that you invested should, hypothetically, increase the market value of your home by at least $10,000 or more…

… as long as they’re in like-new condition.

However, if your folding door system has become rickety and old, then it could actually decrease the value of your home. A set of folding doors that have been improperly cared for will be hard to open, will make an awful creaking noise, and may even cause injuries due to jerking movements.

What About The Warranty?

The manufacturer’s warranty on the door is designed to cover the cost of any defects that were the result of improper manufacturing or malfunctioning parts. However, almost all manufacturers expect homeowners to take proper care of their folding doors. The warranty is not designed to cover a lack of care on the owners’ part.

At the end of the day, performing routine maintenance can prevent expensive folding door repairs.

Routine Maintenance

By now, hopefully, you understand the importance of keeping your folding doors well-maintained. So, with that being said, here’s what you can do to keep your folding door system functioning just like new!

Cleaning The Windows

Admittedly, this is more of an aesthetic issue than anything else. Who wants to look at a bunch of smudges, fingerprints, and grease as they’re trying to enjoy the panoramic view afforded by a folding door system?

The best way to keep the windows of your folding door system clean and clear is to clean them regularly. For folding doors that see regular use, this means cleaning them at least once a week. While some homeowners just use Windex or another similar glass cleaner, we recommend making your own solution out of white vinegar and warm water.

Take a spray bottle and mix 2 parts white vinegar to 8 parts water. Then, shake the bottle vigorously, spray on the glass, and wipe with a microfiber cloth (to avoid leaving behind cloth fibers).

Keeping The Track Clean

One of the most important aspects of folding door maintenance is to keep the track clean. This is especially true for folding door systems with a bottom-rolling track. As you walk over the threshold, you’ll track sand, gravel, dirt, and other debris which can become lodged in the narrow track. This, in turn, can prevent the doors from moving smoothly.

The easiest way to keep your track clean is to use a vacuum with a hose attachment. This will suck up most of the debris and allow the door panels to move freely.

Lubricating The Hinges

If you ever notice that the hinges on your folding door system are starting to creak and whine, then you’ll want to give them a quick treatment with some lubricant. Not only will this eliminate the annoying creaking noise but it will also protect the hinges from further rust and decay.

The simplest way to lubricate your folding door hinges is to apply WD-40 in and around the folding pieces of the door hinges. If you want to keep them extra lubricated, then you may consider applying some white lithium grease to the hinges.

Re-Touching The Stain On Wood Folding Doors

Unlike vinyl or aluminum folding door systems, wood folding doors require a lot more care and attention to detail. As an organic material, wood is susceptible to decay and its worst enemies are water and the sun’s UV rays.

Its only real line of defense is the thick coat of stain applied to the outer surface of the wood. However, over time, this layer of stain can break down, allowing UV rays and moisture to penetrate the wood. This, in turn, can cause the wood to warp, which may result in your doors not working properly.

If you notice that the wood on your doors is beginning to fade in spots, then your best bet is to re-touch the stain on your folding doors. First, you’ll need to find the exact same stain that was used to stain them originally (even if you have to call the manufacturers). This is because not all stains are designed to be compatible with each other.

Then, you’ll need to clean any dirt, dust, and debris from the surface of the wood. Finally, take a stain applicator sponge, dampen it with stain, and gently rub in the new stain to the fading areas.

Conclusion

As long as you take good care of your folding door system, then they can easily last up to 10 years or more! Exterior folding doors not only give you greater enjoyment of your space but they contribute to the overall value of your home. So, all of that being said, it’s in your best interest to keep your folding doors well cared for!